Japan-Israel Relations

1. Exactly 70 years ago today, on May 15, 1952, Japan and the State of Israel established their diplomatic relations.
2. With a view to celebrating the 70th anniversary and wishing for further development of the bilateral relations, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan and H.E. Mr. Yair LAPID, Alternate Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel issued a congratulatory joint video message.

(Minister Hayashi)
I am HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan.
(Minister Lapid)
And I am Yair Lapid, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel.
(Minister Hayashi)
70 years ago today, our history of friendship and cooperation began. It is my great pleasure and honor to celebrate this memorable day with my distinguished friend, His Excellency Yair Lapid, as the foreign ministers of Japan and Israel.
(Minister Lapid)
Thank you my friend, Minister Hayashi.
Israel and Japan are beacons of democracy in our regions, connecting east and west through values of freedom and openness. We are both ancient societies with a rich history and vibrant culture.
The relations between our countries took enormous steps forward in the past few years, with a constant expansion of our ties, especially with regard to trade and business.
(Minister Hayashi)
The number of Japanese companies operating in Israel has tripled over the past six years and the investment from Japan has also increased sevenfold during the same period. Building on this development, I look forward to ushering in a new chapter of our economic relationship and seeing it reach its full potential.
(Minister Lapid)
In addition, more and more Israelis and Japanese are having exchanges with one another.
(Minister Hayashi)
It is with great pleasure that I am announcing that our Governments recently reached an agreement-in-principle on the Working Holiday Visa Agreement. I hope that this Agreement will foster people-to-people exchange, and our ties of friendship will be further deepened for years to come.
(Minister Lapid)
Looking ahead, I am confident that we can work even closer together to benefit both our countries and regions, through innovation, new technologies, and by staying true to our shared commitment to democracy, security and peace.
(Minister Hayashi)
We can make the next decade even more promising for the friendship between our two peoples.
Toda raba (thank you) !
(Minister Lapid)
Arigato Gozaimasu (thank you) !